Legislation -
Bill Passed
(House)
(117-56) -
March 7, 2013(Key vote)

Vote Result

Yea Votes

Nay Votes

Vote to pass a bill that amends the criteria for obtaining a weapons carry license and the possession of weapons in certain areas.

Highlights:

Prohibits certain individuals from obtaining a weapons carry license, including, but not limited to, the following (Secs. 5 & 9):

An individual found mentally incompetent to stand trial;

An individual who was heard by a law enforcement officer making a threat of physical violence against another individual; or

An individual who has received involuntary mental health treatment within the 5 years preceding the individual's carry application.

Requires a law enforcement officer who heard an individual make a threat of violence against another individual to report the name and identifying information of the individual making the threat, the date the threat was made, and any pertinent circumstances surrounding the threat to the Georgia Crime Information Center (Sec. 9).

Requires the judge of a probate court to utilize personal discretion and information provided by the Georgia Crime Information Center to determine whether an individual who made a threat against another individual or who received involuntary treatment no more than 5 years prior may be issued a weapons carry license (Secs. 5 & 9).

Authorizes an individual who has received voluntary mental health or drug treatment to obtain a weapons carry license (Sec. 5).

Authorizes a licensed individual to carry a firearm in places of worship, bars, and in government buildings or courthouses where entrance is not restricted by security personnel or screening (Sec. 3).

Authorizes a local board of education to approve personnel to possess or carry weapons within a school safety zone, at a school function, or on school furnished transportation if the board votes in favor of the proposal (Sec. 7).

Requires a local board of education that has voted to allow personnel to possess or carry weapons to provide the approved personnel with preparations, including, but not limited to, the following (Sec. 7):

Sufficient training that includes marksmanship and an overview of current laws and regulations;

An approved list of weapons authorized to be carried; and

A mandatory method of properly securing weapons.

Requires any personnel approved by a local board of education to possess or carry weapons to be weapons license holders and complete annual background checks (Sec. 7).

Prohibits any state entity other than the General Assembly from regulating the possession, ownership, transport, carrying, transfer, sale, purchase, licensing or registration of any firearms or weapons (Sec. 8).